MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County Schools released an updated draft of its budget for the 2016-2017 school year Wednesday, sharing that it reduced its budget gap from $36 million to $27 million.
The district is proposing $10.8 million teacher raises, which equates to about a three percent raise. Still, SCS employees could see some changes to benefits, including possibly higher deductibles.
An SCS presentation showed SCS narrowed its budget gap, partially because Shelby County is investing $8 million for next school year and state BEP projections suggest the district will receive more state funding than originally thought. Also, the addition of planned school closures would cut costs. Those schools include Carver High School, Northside High School and Messick Adult High School.
SCS told board members they ought to request $35 million from the county, because “the district retains only $0.78 for every additional dollar received from the county.”
The district is adding back several items to the proposed budget that were initially on the table to be cut.
Under the current proposal, SCS will keep the non-mandated CLUE teacher positions for the non-mandated gifted and talented program for pre-K through second grade. A section of iZone schools will keep its extra hour in the school day. SCS would keep iZone reading teachers. The district would not cut guidance counselors. The district would also keep 20 facility managers.
Hopson told WREG the district looked at moving its benefits to the Shelby County government’s plan, but he said that would have involved higher deductibles and out-of-pocket expenses.
He tasked the district with looking at keeping its current plan but with additional savings. He said that could land employees with higher deductibles but reportedly not as high as the county’s plan would have.
Under the proposed budget, the district said a total of 183 central office positions would be cut. Of the 183 positions, 61 positions are currently filled.